Small Business of the Year finalists announced!

Congratulations to this year's nominees for the 2018 Small Business of the Year Awards presented by SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services, Inc.! They are:

Cleaning With a Cause, Newnan

This company’s goal is to not only be the best cleaning service a customer has ever used but also to help feed local residents who are hungry, a cause that is dear to them.

Dirt1X, Sharpsburg

Dirt1x stands for “do it right the first time,” and Ellie White-Stevens, Creative Director and Marketing Guru, has over sixteen years experience in advertising, sales, marketing and corporate communications.

Fine Lines Art & Framing, Newnan

Fine Lines Art & Framing is a specialty custom frame shop that specializes in using all archival and conservation materials and techniques. The staff is trained in the proper handling of any item or project, no matter how complex or detailed.

Goldens on the Square, Newnan

At Goldens on the Square Restaurant, the menu rotates daily so customers can enjoy an old favorite or find a new one. They also create catering menus based on a client’s needs.

J&M Pool Services, LLC, Senoia

While there are no certification requirements for pool servicers or builders in the state of Georgia, the staff at J&M Pools believes educating themselves and their employees is vital to the long-term success of their company, so J&M Pools carries a number of nationwide certifications.

Knox Pest Control Inc., Newnan

Knox Pest Control is one of the largest pest control companies in the southeast, serving Georgia, Alabama and North Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

Mid-Georgia Garage Doors, Inc., Newnan

Mid-Georgia Garage Doors is a group of dependable professionals who have the experience to install any type of door at someone’s home—on time. They offer top brand-name garage doors from such companies as C.H.I., Amarr, Clopay and Wayne Dalton.

Monster Tree Service, Newnan

When people all over the U.S. need trees maintained or removed safely, they call Monster Tree Service, whose team is committed to healthy trees and satisfied customers. Professional arborists, they provide a service that benefits both the customers and the environment.

Moto-Tec-it.com, Newnan

Moto-Tec-it.com provides motorcycle wash and shine products specifically formulated for motorcycles. The product line includes waterless and conventional wash, detailing and specific solution products.

The Lighting Studio, Senoia

The phrase "Small Town Charm Meets Big City Design" is Susan Erwin's story in a nutshell. Susan was one of the first to receive the prestigious "Lighting Certified" designation from the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions.

Honorable Mentions

Alfa Insurance, Sharpsburg; Aquanaut Plumbing Services, Senoia; At Home Assistants, Newnan; Cycle City Powersports, Newnan; Digital Collective, Fayetteville; Popped! Gourmet Popcorn and Fun Treats, Newnan; and Tim Stout & Associates, Senoia.

Winners will be named on August 29, 2018, during ceremonies at The Newnan Centre. Click here to RSVP now!

Learn about the future of CEC at our June 27 State of Community Lunch

Central Educational Center in Newnan is without a doubt one of Coweta's great education success stories. Our well-known college and career academy was built on the unique model of connecting business and the community with education to ensure a skilled 21st century workforce. But do you know what's next for CEC?

Join Mark Whitlock, president and CEO of CEC, and an exciting panel of guest contributors as we discuss how Coweta's innovative culture is shaping the future of education in our community as well as throughout the state!

We'll also tell a bit about how the career academy model that is reinventing education throughout Georgia began 18 years ago right here in Coweta County.

The lunch will be June 27, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Newnan Country Club, 1356 Highway 29 North, Newnan. The cost for the lunch, which is sponsored by NuLink and WOW!, is $35 for Chamber Members and $50 for General Admission. For more information, email info@newnancowetachamber.org or call 770.253.2270.

Bike group hopes to bring more biking dollars to Coweta

You may have heard about Bike Coweta, the new group whose goals are to provide a safe and bicycle-friendly community to local citizens and to encourage cycling tourism to the area.

But what you may not know is exactly how much of an economic impact biking can have in a community! According to mtbatlanta.com, a single race weekend brought some $200,000 of local economic impact to Auburn, Alabama, and in Anniston, Alabama, the biking at Coldwater Mountain is estimated to have an annual economic impact of $4-6 million.

Our Chamber has been pleased to support the establishment of the new LINC trail here in Coweta, and we're excited about the opportunities for even more recreational offerings that will encourage a healthy lifestyle and attract visitors to Coweta County!

To learn more about Bike Coweta, click here.

Free Small Business Master Class is June 5 in Atlanta

On June 5, the Georgia Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to welcome small business leaders from across the state to the Small Business Master Class: Atlanta. This event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5 at Mason Fine Art and Events in Atlanta, is free to you as a member of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber.

The Atlanta event will be an exciting and important stop in the U.S. Chamber’s second annual nationwide tour to engage business owners and entrepreneurs with top experts to gain tools, strategies, and best practices to help companies compete successfully in today’s rapidly changing economy.

Participants will hear inspiring stories of success and perseverance from speakers who have achieved small business success. Both local and national experts will share insights on a multitude of topics from scaling a business to best practices in hiring and team building to marketing your brand and protecting your data networks.

You can receive complimentary registration by using the promo code "GeorgiaChamber," and you can register now by clicking here.

Leadership Coweta names 2018-2019 class members

The Newnan-Coweta Chamber has just announced the members of its 2018-2019 Leadership Coweta class! Those chosen for the program this year include Volita Almon, West Georgia Technical College; William Atkins, The Salvation Army; Justin Austin, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Scott Berta, Tree Protection Supply; Michelle Bright, Paramount Hospitality; Hal Brodnax, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Betsy Burnette, Newnan Utilities; Amanda Camp, Coweta CASA, Inc.; Andrew Copeland, Iron Planet; Jennifer Garcia, Newnan-Coweta Chamber; Kristina Hajzak, Fidelity Bank; Harlan Hammack, IB4E Coaching; Beth Headley, United Bank; Renee Horton, Renee Horton Agency, LLC; Jim Ivey, Streams Group; Kalea James, Fidelity Bank; LeCorey Johnson, Wide Open West (NuLink); Janiene Mallory, Kaiser Permanente; Matthew Markham, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Kim Melhouse, Tiernan & Patrylo; Jem Morris, Georgia Power Company; Anissa Patton, Fulton County Office of the Child Attorney; Dub Pearman, Senoia City Councilman Post 2; Ken Pinkerton, Grenzebach Corporation; Latha Ravi, The Flying Locksmiths; Jay Rice, Georgia Pain and Spine Care; J.J. Thomasson, 75 Jackson Properties; Jeff Treadwell, Buffalo Rock; Jason Walton, Foundation Christian Church; Trae Westmoreland, Coweta County Development Authority; and Monica Yeoman, West Georgia Technical College.

Amanda Fields and Joe Crain III are serving as this year’s Leadership Coweta co-chairs, and the theme for the 2018-2019 program is “Strengths Based Leadership.”

Through its unique 11-month program, Leadership Coweta prepares future community leaders by allowing them to engage in both the formal and informal exchange of ideas and experiences; enhance their personal leadership skills awareness and development; gain knowledge from an in-depth view of community issues; have access to opportunities for community involvement; understand more about the interdependencies between sectors of the local economy as well as the interrelationships of local issues; and receive knowledge on numerous subjects that prepare them for a more active leadership role in the community.

The application process for the program is governed by the Leadership Coweta Executive Team, which reviews all applications and determines finalists. Criteria considered during the process include demonstrated leadership abilities, community interest and involvement, desire to assume expanded leadership responsibility, and class representation of diverse backgrounds and experiences. The program year runs from September 2018 to May 2019.

For more information about Leadership Coweta, contact the Chamber at 770.253.2270 or email info@newnancowetachamber.org.

Learn more about the candidates—and voice your vote!

With Georgia's May 22 primary fast approaching, we want to make sure you have the information you need to learn about the candidates and their positions on issues that impact Coweta business.

Before the Candidate Forums we hosted at CEC in April, we distributed questionnaires to local nonpartisan Board of Education and contested primary candidates. To learn more about the candidates' responses, simply click on the links below. And be sure to voice your vote!

U.S. Congressional District III

Georgia House District 71

Board of Education District 1 At-Large

Board of Education District 1

Board of Education District 3

Board of Education District 4

County Commission District 2

Finally, here are some days to keep on your calendar:

Come hear the CEC success story at our June 27 State of Community Lunch!

You're probably aware by now that the Central Educational Center is one of Coweta's great education success stories. Our well-known college and career academy was built on the unique model of connecting business and the community with education to ensure a skilled 21st century workforce. But do you know the story of how CEC got its start?

Come learn more about this highly successful partnership among business and industry at our next State of Community Lunch, where our speaker will be Mark Whitlock, president and CEO of Central Educational Center. The lunch will be June 27, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Newnan Country Club, 1356 Highway 29 North, Newnan.

The cost for the lunch, which is sponsored by NuLink and WOW!, is $35 for Chamber Members and $50 for General Admission. For more information, email info@newnancowetachamber.org or call 770.253.2270.